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You Can Explain Mesothelioma And Asbestos To Your Mom
Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a false diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.


Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or seen by naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In asbestos lawsuit compensation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.

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